Snæfellsnes Peninsula Day Tour: Small Group, Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell and the coast in one day, without arranging the drive yourself

A small group day tour of Snæfellsnes Peninsula departing Reykjavik, visiting Kirkjufell, Arnarstapi, Djúpalónsandur and seal colonies at Ytri-Tunga, with hotel or bus stop pickup included and live English commentary throughout. The 12-hour itinerary covers both the famous landmarks and quieter stops off the main route, and pickup from central Reykjavik can take up to half an hour depending on your accommodation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snæfellsnes Peninsula full day tour

• Pick up from Reykjavík accommodation
• Drive through fjord and mountains to Borgarnes
• Visit Ytri-Tunga seal colony beach
• See Búdakirkja black church and graveyard
• Explore Arnarstapi fishing village and coastline
• Visit Gatklettur stone arch
• Walk on Djúpalónssandur black sand beach
• View Lóndrangar basalt rock pinnacles
• Photograph Kirkjufell Mountain landmark

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or nearest designated bus stop in Reykjavik—contact the operator about your exact location, since some hotels require a nearby stop instead. The drive to Snæfellsnes passes through Borgarnes, a historic Viking settlement, and the route itself winds through fjords and mountain scenery before you reach the peninsula proper. This journey sets the tone for what comes next: the landscape here is not a single attraction but a sequence of distinct stops, each one a different kind of Icelandic coast.

Ytri-Tunga is a sandy beach where seals haul out on the rocks and can be spotted from a distance—they are curious and will climb up to watch you as much as you watch them. From there the tour moves to Búdakirkja, a tiny black church built in 1703 on the south coast among lava fields, then to Arnarstapi, a working fishing village at the base of a mountain with dramatic coastal cliffs carved by erosion into stone arches and a natural marine geyser. The guide shares stories about Bárður, a half-man half-troll figure from local legend, and you'll see Gatklettur, a naturally formed stone arch that photographers favor. Djúpalónsandur is a black volcanic sand beach where you can try the old "lifting stones" fishermen once used to test their strength, and the rusted remains of a 1948 British trawler still lie scattered across the sand as a reminder of the Atlantic's power. Lóndrangar, a pair of 75-meter basalt pinnacles, rise above the southern coastline and host seabirds including puffins and northern fulmars.

Kirkjufell, the iconic narrow mountain that became famous as the "Arrowhead Mountain" in Game of Thrones, anchors the final part of the day. Its distinctive shape was carved by glacial erosion roughly 12,000 years ago and makes it one of Iceland's most photographed sights. The tour includes WiFi on board and live English-language commentary throughout, so you hear the stories and context as you move between stops. The full day runs 12 hours from pickup to drop-off, and the guide handles the driving and navigation so the day stays on schedule without you managing the route.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Reykjavik hotel or designated bus stop.
• live English-speaking guide and driver.
• WiFi on board throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Troll Expeditions

Is this one for you?Book this tour for a first or middle day in Iceland when you want to see Snæfellsnes without renting a car or planning the route yourself—the small group size and fixed schedule mean the day holds together, and the guide handles both the driving and the stories at each stop.

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Top questions

What is Kirkjufell and why is it so famous?

Kirkjufell is a narrow, cone-shaped mountain on Snæfellsnes Peninsula that became widely known after appearing as the "Arrowhead Mountain" in Game of Thrones. Glacial erosion during the last ice age shaped it into its distinctive form about 12,000 years ago, and it is now one of Iceland's most photographed landmarks.

Can I see seals on this tour?

Yes, the tour stops at Ytri-Tunga, a sandy beach where a seal colony spends time on the rocks. The seals are friendly and curious and will often climb onto the rocks to watch visitors from a safe distance.

What is Djúpalónsandur and what will I do there?

Djúpalónsandur is a black volcanic sand beach where Icelandic fishermen once launched rowboats into the Atlantic. The tour includes the "lifting stones" that fishermen used to test their strength—you can try to lift them yourself—and the wreckage of a 1948 British trawler that still lies scattered across the sand.

How does pickup work from Reykjavik?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel or the nearest designated bus stop in Reykjavik, though the pickup can take up to half an hour depending on where your accommodation is located. Some hotels do not allow buses to drive directly to them, so confirm your pickup location with the operator beforehand using busstop.is or by asking your hotel front desk.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from your Reykjavik accommodation or bus stop, live English-language commentary from the guide throughout the day, and WiFi on board. Food and drinks are not included.

How long is the full day tour?

The tour runs 12 hours total from pickup in Reykjavik through all the stops and back to your accommodation or bus stop.